The forests of the Hudson Valley still have ancient stories to reveal, and one of those stories relates to the Great Chain, which was placed across the Hudson River at West Point. This iron chain stopped the British invasion of the New England colonies during the American Revolution.

As part of the Wappingers Historical Society’s Speaker Series programming, Donald “Doc” Bayne, a former forest ranger and the President of the Friends of Sterling Forest State Park, will present his discovery of the Sterling Forge, one source of the links for the Great Chain. Doc will share the history of the iron industry that started in 1736 at Sterling Forest; how he discovered one source of The Great Chain at the original location of Peter Townsend’s iron works, which was kept hidden from the British deep in Sterling Forest; and how the Sterling Forge was used to create the Great Chain that was placed across the Hudson River at West Point.

The public is invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served. Seating is limited and is on a first come, first served basis.

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